Gold again for Aled

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Cardiff's Aled Davies struck gold again by winning the F42 shot put at the Paralympic Games in Rio yesterday; to add to the gold medal in the discus and the bronze in the shot put that he won at the London games four years ago.

Aled's winning distance of 15.97m was a little short of his own world record but was better than every one of his rivals' attempts. The silver went to Iran and the bronze to South Africa.

A delighted Aled said: “I can’t believe I have done it to be honest. It has been a tough four years, and particularly a massive two years. I changed everything in 2014 and moved to coach Ryan Spencer-Jones. He believed in me and he has pushed my aspirations through the roof. Even today, I’m not very happy with the performance because I know I am in 16.5m shape. But it doesn’t matter; I have delivered on the Paralympic stage."

Aled is now looking forward to the World Championships which will be held in London next year.

Aled was born with an incomplete right leg and has done brilliantly to overcome this disability, particularly in the events in which he specialises.

Congratulations to Aled (and Ryan). Cardiff AAC is proud of you.

In the T20 1500m final today (run in 36 degrees heat), on his 28th birthday, Steve Morris ran a well judged race, holding a leading place until he was overtaken in the final 150m and missing out on a medal in sixth place in 3:58.69.